 GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS
always opened by appointment in Los Gatos.
Call Kathy 408.640.6628 or
Contact at kathywinkelman@gioiacompany.com.
And always at your disposal online at www.gioiacompany.com
RSVP by return email or call 408.640.6628 or contact Kathy at kathywinkelman@gioiacompany.com
GIOIA ALWAYS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT
And always available for your convenience online at www.gioiacompany.com
Shop Now at Gioia Italian Piazza Experience...
for yourselves, and for those special occasions.
Holiday Calandar!
Bergamo and the Italian Lakes Regions
 Welcome the beauty of the change of seasons bringing shorter days and colder nights to welcome the opportunity to celebrate a good meal around the table with friends and family, warm the hearth with the rich colors of fall and a thankful heart. During this busy season we have some wonderful and fun events including, of course, our Festa Gioia traditional open house the weekend after Thanksgiving, the Villa Montalvo Yuletide Event in Saratoga, the Valle Monte League Christmas Tree Elegance, a fundraising afternoon in Los Gatos for Little Italy and Notable Inc. and more. Check it out below.
I am thankful for many things—Gioia Italian art and products clients and our Italian associates are among them. It is always good to tell someone they are appreciated! Below are a few comments from clients and colleagues about Gioia. I invite you to join our family and attend some of the upcoming holiday events with us.
 At this time of year I love to remember the beautiful colors of the north of Italy especially Bergamo and the Italian Lakes Regions. If you are traveling between Milano and Venezia these are wonderful stops to make. Bergamo is a mountain town in the Lombardy Region of Italy near Milano. It is easy to access by car and train. The history of this area can be traced back to prehistoric times. The Gauls and the Romans passed through Bergamo and wrote that it was a rich agricultural land. The name means “the house in the mountains,” and the old town sits atop a tall hill. Bergamo was once ruled by Milan and then Venice. The Venice Lion and architecture are still evident in the old town. Click here to learn more about Bergamo.
 From Milan you can visit the Lakes Region of Lombardy; Lago di Como, Lago di Garda are two of the beautiful lakes we have driven around. The road is small and winds around; you cannot be in a hurry. You can travel by boat which is much more relaxing. On Lake Como we like to visit Varenna, a small town alongside the water with the towering Alps across the lake. This town was established in 769 B.C. as a fishing village. Of course, the town of Como is the most famous. Como is a place to find numerous works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theatres, parks and palaces. The Celtic tribes inhabited this area from the Bronze Age. Around the 1st century the old city was built behind Roman walls in the design by Julius Caesar.
 Going further east we come to Lake Garda and the southern town along the lake of Sirmione with grottos, thermal baths and an historic castle to visit. The history here goes also back to the Stone Age, but during Roman times the beautiful villas were built and Sirmione continues to be a draw for tourism.
We traveled along the Lake Garda to the far northwestern mountain village in the Alps called Vestone to meet with Patrizia whose family makes the flatware that we sell. It was a long winding road through breathtaking scenery, and we wondered how the shipping trucks maneuvered these roads to pick up the shipments. The quality is Italy’s finest and the flatware makes excellent hospitality gifts: serving pieces, appetizer sets, cake servers etc. Come and see them.
(Click here to learn more about the Italian Lakes Region. For more about Lago di Garda, click here.)
Other interesting cities to visit along the way between Milan and Venezia include Brescia, at the foot of the Alps, an important commercial center since pre-Roman times, home to metallurgy. There we visited a young woman whose family made items of pewter. Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet, is also along the way. It was a Roman colony as early as 59 B.C. After many cultures’ influence over Verona in the 15th century, it became a center for the arts and sciences and today draws many students to the nearby Universities of Verona and Padua. The Arena in Verona is a type of miniature Colosseum and now a center for the performing arts. The shopping in Verona is fun along the marbled street path. Verona is nestled between the river Adige and Lake Garda. Several churches hug the marketplace piazza. For more about Verona, click here.
What People Are Saying about Gioia
I came in search of a wall tile, I found just the right one, and I made new friends who are as passionate about the Italian culture as I am. Grace 2017 San Jose
I highly recommend to anyone who is shopping for Italian Imports, wants to learn to make limoncello, is interested in Italian events/activities hosted in the Bay Area, or just wants to meet an incredibly genuine and kind person, to contact Kathy at Gioia Company. She will brighten you day with her love and passion for all things Italian! KW 2017 Lafayette
Always a fun surprise awaits. Last time I was there we dressed in capes and masks to celebrate the new year and Carnevale 2016. Before that, I attended a class on making limoncello, a great gift for the holidays. And I have not even mentioned the items for sale! It's like visiting Italy for the afternoon but without the 20-hour flight. PL 2016 San Jose
 The items that she offers her customers are beautiful and are well priced. Along with her Italian ceramic art for sale, she offers a variety of goods for both home decor and personal use such as jewelry items. This is one "Shop Local - Shop Small" business that you can support with confidence! Terri A 2016 North Attleborough MA
Check out our Yelp 15% deal by clicking here!
And Our Italian Partners
It is always a pleasure to custom make for your customers. 2016 Regine, Florence, Italy
Kathy I need to have customers like you, 2017 Romeo, Vietri, Italy
We welcome you to Gioia!!
To read past newsletters filled with information about everything Italian click here and sign up.
Gioia is always open by appointment, Contact Kathy 408-640-6628.
NOVEMBER 2017
VILLA MONTALVO YULETIDE SARATOGA
Bedazzled is a free Marketplace fundraising event for Villa Montalvo. Artisan gifts and Bistro for lunch while shopping at the beautiful Villa. Visit Gioia there.
Date: Nov 16,17,18
Time: 9:30 to 3:30 daily
For more information click here.
Enjoy reading the full postcard by clicking this link.
FESTA GIOIA THANKFUL OPEN HOUSE AND LUNCHEON
Bring a friend, family member and enjoy the holidays with us for a unique shopping experience Italian Style. Save the Date! Great pastries from our Italian Bakery Friends!
Date: Saturday and Sunday, November 25 and 26 (corrected dates)
Time: Noon to 6 p.m.
Place: 16395 Roseleaf Court, Los Gatos
RSVP: 408-640-6628
IN FROM THE COLD FUNDRAISER
Home First helping the homeless in Santa Clara County
Date: Thursday, November 30
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: The Tech Museum of Innovation
201 S Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
For more information, click this link: https://www.homefirstscc.org/iftc
 BEL BACIO ITALIAN CAFÉ IN LITTLE ITALY SAN JOSE
https://www.facebook.com/BelBacioItalianCafe
The café will host artist, client and friend, Carol Ann Nulk, for the month of November,
Click here to learn more about the cafe.
Stop in for a coffee and light lunch Italian Style
DECEMBER 2017
REMEMBER! Gioia is opened at your convenience ANY DAY in December by appointment.
VALLE MONTE LEAGUE CHRISTMAS TREE ELEGANCE FUNDRAISER
Date: Friday, December 1st
Time::6 to 11 p.m.
Place: Santa Clara Convention Center
For more information, click this link: https://vallemonte.org/christmas-tree-elegance/
 ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION OPERA NIGHT
Tribute and fundraiser for San Jose Opera
Boutique Shopping with Gioia and others
Date: Friday, December 1st
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Place: Italian American Heritage Foundation
425 N. Fourth Street
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 408-293-7122
For more information, click this link: https://www.iahfsj.org/events
GIOIA TO THE WORLD CELEBRATION!!
Bring a friend, family member and enjoy the holidays with us for a unique shopping experience Italian Style. Save the Date! Great pastries from our Italian Bakery Friends!
Date: Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10
Time: Noon to 6 p.m.
Place: 16395 Roseleaf Court, Los Gatos
RSVP: 408-640-6628
LITTLE ITALY SAN JOSE and NOTABLE INC. FUNDRAISER
Appetizers and Vino! Raising Funds for the Museum and Cultural Center
The growing Little Italy San Jose Area is in downtown San Jose near the San Jose Arena and Guadalupe Park: WE INVITE YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS VIBRANT COMMUNITY:
Click here to learn more: http://www.littleitalysj.com/
Date: December 14, 2017
Time: 4 to 9 p.m.
Location: 14540 Clearview Dr., Los Gatos, CA
RSVP: Helen Owen - (408) 781-2321 - ehowen@comcast.net
UPCOMING and ALWAYS...
Little Italy San Jose:
The growing Little Italy San Jose Area is in downtown San Jose near the San Jose Arena and Guadalupe Park: 323 W St. John St., San Jose, CA 95110
WE INVITE YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS VIBRANT COMMUNITY: . Click here: http://www.littleitalysj.com/
GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS always opened by appointment in Los Gatos. Call Kathy 408.640.6628 or Contact kathywinkelman@gioiacompany.com
 CAMPANIA
Thinking of staying in the Vietri sul Mare region? Here is a B & B owned by one of our friends in Italy, check it out.
CASA IDA Historic House Rental & B&B Italy
Campania, near Vietri sul Mari,
Cava Dei Tirreni, Campania, Italy
On Facebook
SORRENTO
 ITALY FOR THE SPRING
Sorrento Emotions and Dreams
Italian Specialist and Local Residents
Luxury, tailor made vacations
Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Isle of Capri and all of Italy
Enjoy holidays, short breaks, weddings, honeymoon, dining, cooking, shopping, scuba diving, water activities, coastal excursions with personal crew.
Contact Signore Tonino Pepe,pepetonino2@gmail.com, and tell him Gioia Co. sent you.
PUGLIA
Puglia, Italy with Valentina
May 14-25, 2018.
Travel through the Puglia region
A step into real Puglia with Valentina,author, designer, artist and native.
To read about trips and see videos, click here:
https://valentinaexpressions.com/trips-to-puglia-2
UMBRIA/TUSCANY-- Right on the border
Vacation at Le Selve, an Agriturismo! Contact info@gioiacompany.com or 408.640.6628 for a special introduction to the owner. Sleeps six or 12. Two stories. Separate units. Beautiful view. Organic olive grove. Walking trails. Full kitchen. Swimming pool.
 FLORENCE TOURS WITH CHRISTINA MIFSUD
Multiple tours available from Christina Mifsud from Florence. For more details on the various opportunities, click here.
ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTER SACRAMENTO
This club offers ongoing tours in Italy especially their Thanksgiving trips. Check them out here and tell them Gioia sent you! http://www.italiancenter.net/
See you soon...
Can't make it? Don't forget to shop online at www.gioiacompany.com.
A Glass of Wine, A Cup of Tea and Gioia Italian Art and Products, a formula for a relaxing evening!
Every gift personally wrapped, shipped and guaranteed.
Katherine Winkelman
Gioia Company LLC
408.640.6628
www.gioiacompany.com
Please post your positive feedback on Yelp to help us to grow.
Please "Like" Us On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gioia-Italian-Art-and-Products/112457388801734
|
A Heartfelt Grazie Mille to Pasquale Esposito for being our Grand Marshal at the Little Italy Street Festival in San Jose